KHOTANG, AUGUST 4

A microbus carrying pilgrims returning from the Halesi Temple in Khotang plunged around 200 meters off the road along the Jayaram-Halesi section of the Mid-Hill Highway on Monday morning, leaving one person dead and 14 others injured, police confirmed.

The accident occurred near Daunde Stream at around 9:00 am when the microbus (Pradesh 2-0-1-001) was en route to Siraha after the Bolbam pilgrimage.

According to DSP Prateek Bista of the District Police Office, Khotang, 16 passengers were on board when the vehicle veered off the road. Bushes halted its fall, preventing further casualties.

Municipality spokesperson Kamal Giri said the injured were initially taken to Ghurmi by ambulance. Six critically injured passengers were later airlifted to the National Trauma Centre in Kathmandu, while eight others are receiving treatment at the Janasewa Polyclinic in Ghurmi.

The identities of the deceased and injured have yet to be confirmed. Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.

(With inputs from RSS)